After missing playoffs in 2023, the New York Yankees bounced back incredibly well this year to almost confirm a playoff spot. They are leading AL-East with the third-best record in baseball and are expected to sail through comfortably into the ALCS. However, the next off-season will still be challenging.
The New York Yankees will be tasked to rebuild a championship caliber team next off-season as they have a lot of contracts hitting arbitration, opt outs and with some becoming eligible for free agency as well. Hence, MLB analysts predicts the Bronx Bombers front office to remain active next winter.
A Tough Off-Season On The Cards For New York Yankees
Despite a successful 2024 season, the New York Yankees are expected to be very active during the upcoming offseason. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller picked out a list of 8 teams likely to be busy next winter, which included the Bronx Bombers. Miller explained that the team has a lot of regular players facing future uncertainty. Ace Gerrit Cole will be eligible to exercise his opt-out clause, which the front office can forfeit by adding an extra year to his existing contract. However, with generational star Juan Soto also hitting free agency, Cole’s retention will be tricky. Soto won’t settle below $500 million, meaning the Yanks would be required to spend a minimum of $35 million on him annually.
On the other hand, Clay Holmes, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and Alex Verdugo are all eligible for free agency. In addition to player acquisitions, the New York Yankees may also consider changes to their coaching staff and player development strategies. Manager Aaron Boone’s contract will also expire by the end of the year. Hence, his future will depend on the team’s playoff run this season. Notably, the New York Yankees have invested heavily in analytics and modern training methods. But there is always room for adjustments to get the best out of their players, especially given the mixed results over recent seasons. Overall, despite the successes of 2024, the Yankees know that maintaining their status as a perennial contender requires continuous improvement. The upcoming offseason will be crucial as they look to fine-tune their roster, add necessary reinforcements, and set themselves up for another strong campaign in 2025.
Juan Soto To Scale $600 Million Deal?
Generational slugger Juan Soto is expected to be a hot free agent next off-season, and if Fansided’s Zach Pressnell is to be believed, the 25-year-old can surpass Shohei Ohtani’s AAV record. He expects New York Yankees and New York Yankees to bid around $600 million. Notably, Ohtani signed a 10-year $700 million deal with the Dodgers this year.
However, since 97% of his salary is deferred to the end of his term, Shohei Ohtani’s annual AVV is reduced due to inflation. Meanwhile, Juan Soto appears unlikely to offer deferral for the interested teams. Hence, Soto is on course to become one of the most expensive players in the history of MLB if the Yankees and the Mets play their cards right.
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